Organ Grinder + Independent News & Media | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder+independent-news-and-media
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 22:52:23 GMT2015-08-02T22:52:23Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Alexander Lebedev eyes the business of potatoes and media assetshttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/jun/26/alexander-lebedev-media-assets-potatoes
Russian businessman believes it's time to liquidate<p>Alexander Lebedev seems, in his way, to have become tired of being a billionaire. It's time, he argues, to stop being a businessman; to sell his remaining holdings in Russian industry. The stakes in Aeroflot, Gazprom, the Red Wings business airline are all to go and maybe even his bank, leaving only the potato farming and his UK newspapers – the Independents and the London Evening Standard – all of which he classes as social enterprises, not the kind of tedious activity that generates returns on investment. Mind you, it's a safe bet that the potatoes will end up making more than the newspapers.</p><p>Catch up with the oligarch – he visited the Guardian last week – and it is impossible not to be gradually seduced. The conversation at times may be an associative jumble of ideas, in which it is hard to separate jokes from reality, but overall his speaking is plain enough and the essential thinking is not in doubt. As he sees it, with $3.6bn of assets and no debt, there is little point in getting richer (in his opinion to try to aim for $20bn would be not far short of deranged). Instead it is time to liquidate, even if the cash realised might only be $2bn. And it is cash that, potatoes aside, he wants to spend on media.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/jun/26/alexander-lebedev-media-assets-potatoes">Continue reading...</a>Alexander LebedevIndependent News & MediaNewspapers & magazinesLondon Evening StandardFree newspapersRegional & local newspapersNewspapersMediaIndependent PrintSun, 26 Jun 2011 21:32:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/jun/26/alexander-lebedev-media-assets-potatoesOxana Onipko/AFPAlexander Lebedev, the owner of the Independent, Independent on Sunday and Standard newspapers Photograph: Oxana Onipko/AFPOxana Onipko/AFPAlexander Lebedev, the owner of the Independent, Independent on Sunday and Standard newspapers Photograph: Oxana Onipko/AFPDan Sabbagh2011-06-26T21:32:01ZIreland's love of print can survive the worst&nbsp;of recessionshttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/may/16/ireland-print-recession-newspapers
This is a small country of 4.5 million but these are people who buy newspapers<p>Ireland will soon play host to the Queen and Barack Obama – like all good US presidents, Obama claims Irish descent. Visit Dublin's newspaper offices, and you find they're betting which of the two will provide a greater bump to sales. Presidents, though, come here all the time; the smart money is that Her Majesty will win out. Already the special supplements are appearing, with orange and green images of the monarch in the republican country across the water. Prepare too for the pageantry, the history and of course, the present – the image of Ireland today, the unfinished house on the deserted, rubbish-strewn estate. In 30 seconds of news, this is what a modern day recession looks like.</p><p>If this is the bottom for an economy, it must too be the bottom for media. Property advertising is down by between 80% and 95% from the peak four years ago, a fall so severe it is best described as cruel. The Irish Times – owned by a trust in the fashion of the Guardian – is losing, it is estimated, at least €1m (&pound;870,000) a month and probably more. In a market crowded not just with local players but British entrants, the Sunday Tribune lost out, shut by its funder, Independent News &amp; Media, as losses mounted and circulation fell. Yet, for all the real dislocation, it's not as bad as the half-built image suggests.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/may/16/ireland-print-recession-newspapers">Continue reading...</a>NewspapersIrelandNewspapers & magazinesNational newspapersMediaEuropeWorld newsAnthony O'ReillyIndependent News & MediaAdvertisingMedia businessMon, 16 May 2011 06:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2011/may/16/ireland-print-recession-newspapersPublic DomainThe Irish Times: losing money but still in printPublic DomainThe Irish Times: losing money but still in printDan Sabbagh2011-05-16T06:00:08ZAlexander Lebedev: a riddle wrapped up in an enigmahttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/15/alexander-lebedev-society-of-editors
Lebedev's Society of Editors speech was long on liberal values but left a string of other questions about his strategy unanswered<p>You've heard all the clich&eacute;s about Alexander Lebedev – rich, Russian and, dare one say it, a bit weird. The plutocrat owner of the London Evening Standard and the Independent wears the same rubber-soled shoes as his son, Evgeny, and while that isn't a reason to judge a man, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/nov/14/alexander-lebedev-tyranny-independent" title="his performance in Glasgow last night is another matter">his performance at the Society of Editors conference in Glasgow last night is another matter</a>. Those who hoped to find the enigma clarified will have left none the wiser.</p><p>What Alexander Lebedev offered was a speech about Russia, written by Geordie Greig. (Incidentally, Lebedev watchers will note there was no sign at the event of Simon Kelner, the editor of the Independent – it seems pretty clear who is editorial top dog over in Kensington High Street). It amounted to a passionate defence of liberal values from a man who comes from a country with a weak liberal tradition.</p><p>&quot;Newspapers have crucial roles in bringing information to millions of people in a clear, concise way, putting out what is often the first rough-edged page of history. But it is also a defence against tyranny, corruption, injustice and, at times, can and should be a source of light, shining into the dark areas where the powerful and corrupt want to keep things hidden.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Sorry to disappoint those who think that everyone connected to the KGB is involved in James Bond plots of derring-do. Every morning I would read seven or eight newspapers and mark the pages.&quot; </p><p>&quot;For instance, with the Evening Standard, the editor Geordie Greig only telephoned me the day before the general election to tell me which party his paper was going to support.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/15/alexander-lebedev-society-of-editors">Continue reading...</a>Alexander LebedevMediaNewspapersNewspapers & magazinesNational newspapersIndependent News & MediaThe IndependentMon, 15 Nov 2010 14:24:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/15/alexander-lebedev-society-of-editorsFiona Hanson/PAAlexander Lebedev: just don't ask him too many questions. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PAFiona Hanson/PAAlexander Lebedev: just don't ask him too many questions. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PADan Sabbagh2010-11-15T14:24:02ZPaid-for content requires a focused approach from newspapershttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/01/steve-hewlett-paywall-i-apps
Newspaper content does have commercial potential in the digital world it just needs to meet consumers' needs<p>Conventional wisdom has it that the internet is killing newspapers. Paid-for circulations are relentlessly down across most of the market while, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/28/september-abces-independent-rise" title="Guardian: ABCes: Independent.co.uk scores biggest monthly rise">according to last week's ABCes</a>, free internet access is just as relentlessly up. If these two are related – as most people in the media industry believe they are – the road to business nowhere beckons as analogue (or in this case hard-copy paper) pounds are unavoidably swapped for digital pence.</p><p>But what of affairs over at the good ship Beacon of Hope (otherwise known as paywall city or News International)? Well, no one knows for certain since the company hasn't released much by way of useful data, but a report from the internet traffic analysts Nielsen last week did not make especially happy reading. In the three months the Times/Sunday Times paywall's been up, total monthly unique visitors have, according to Nielsen, dropped by more than 40% from over 3 million to nearer 1.7 million. And the estimate of those <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/26/times-paywall-traffic-news-international" title="Guardian: Times and Sunday Times paywall content 'has 362,000 monthly users'">going beyond the front page (free) to the paid-for delights within is just 362,000 per month</a>. As this flatters the paywall by including anyone given access free, discounted, or as part of a print subscription, if it's anywhere near accurate, Wapping will be a worried place.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/01/steve-hewlett-paywall-i-apps">Continue reading...</a>Digital mediaNewspapers & magazinesNews UKiIndependent News & MediaABCsABCesMediaMon, 01 Nov 2010 07:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/01/steve-hewlett-paywall-i-appsTim Ireland/PABritain's first new daily national newspaper in nearly 25 years, "i", comes from the same stable as The Independent. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA WireTim Ireland/PABritain's first new daily national newspaper in nearly 25 years, "i", comes from the same stable as The Independent. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA WireSteve Hewlett2010-11-01T07:00:06ZWill the arrival of i mean newspaper readers will desert the Independent?http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/oct/25/independent-i-simon-kelner
Heavily subbed stories feature in Simon Kelner's latest revamp<p>It is tempting to call Simon Kelner the king of relaunches. In his 12 years as editor of the Independent – including a short hiatus as the paper's managing director – he has overseen more relaunches than any of his national newspaper rivals.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/19/i-independent-spinoff-newspaper" title="Now comes the launch of a paper called i">Now comes the launch of a paper called i</a>. It is, quite simply, a populist alter ego to the Independent (disclaimer: I write a weekly column for its stablemate, the London Evening Standard), and will appear on newsstands tomorrow, priced at 20p. It will be sold alongside the &pound;1 Independent, which has been revamped yet again, to look more upmarket and sober.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/oct/25/independent-i-simon-kelner">Continue reading...</a>iThe IndependentIndependent News & MediaNational newspapersSimon KelnerNewspapers & magazinesNewspapersMediaMon, 25 Oct 2010 06:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/oct/25/independent-i-simon-kelnerGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonSimon Kelner, editor of the Independent and the new i. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonSimon Kelner, Editor of The Independent newspaper.
Commissioned for Media Photograph: Graeme RobertsonRoy Greenslade2010-10-25T06:00:06ZRoy Greenslade: Newspaper sales fall as bulks are shedhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/apr/19/abcs-sales-slump-roy-greenslade
The latest ABCs make depressing reading but the decision to cut bulk sales from the figures gives a 'cleaner' reflection of true circulation<p>Are there reasons to be cheerful about another set of newspaper circulation statistics that, at face value, look as depressing as ever? Well, one definite plus is that the figures are getting &quot;cleaner&quot; by the month. The gradual retreat by several titles from the use of bulk sales is one of the major causes of apparently bad year-on-year falls.</p><p>Let's begin at home. In March last year, the Guardian's headline sale included almost 15,000 bulks while the Observer's was padded with 23,000 bulks. Both titles have since removed them all. Now consider the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, which went cold turkey by giving up 50,000 and 44,000 bulks respectively. Similarly, the Times has given up 56,000 bulks while the Sunday Times has stopped its reliance on 22,000 bulks.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/apr/19/abcs-sales-slump-roy-greenslade">Continue reading...</a>ABCsMediaIndependent News & MediaThe TimesFinancial TimesTelegraph Media GroupThe GuardianMon, 19 Apr 2010 06:00:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/apr/19/abcs-sales-slump-roy-greensladeRoy Greenslade2010-04-19T06:00:14ZThe Independent: it's about love as well as moneyhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/mar/26/independent-alexander-lebedev-gorbachev
Alexander Lebedev's plans for a foundation to back the Independent and his other papers foretell an interesting future on the editorial side, as well as the commercial one<p>Alexander Lebedev's associates say that no decision has yet been taken on whether the Independent should become a freesheet (like the Standard), slash its price in half or continue at a &pound;1 a copy.</p><p>This is the question that is obsessing the paper's rivals – do I need to make a full disclosure point here? – but actually, while the paper(s) should not leak cash, Lebedev may have a higher-minded, more altruistic purpose and financing model for his growing media empire.</p><p>&quot;Alexander Lebedev also announced that he and President Mikhail Gorbachev plan to establish Novaya Independent Media Foundation (NIMF), a not for profit organisation which will finance global media projects. </p><p>&quot;In particular, we are talking about Novaya Gazeta in Russia, The Independent and The London Evening Standard in the UK. We hope that other philanthropists will also be interested in maintaining quality journalism to protect freedom of speech and encourage investigative reporting to promote greater transparency in society.&quot; </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/mar/26/independent-alexander-lebedev-gorbachev">Continue reading...</a>MediaThe IndependentIndependent News & MediaSimon KelnerFri, 26 Mar 2010 13:46:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2010/mar/26/independent-alexander-lebedev-gorbachevIvan Sekretarev/APAlexander Lebedev. Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/APIvan Sekretarev/APAlexander Lebedev. Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/APSteve Busfield2010-03-26T13:46:09ZMedia Talk podcast: The Murdochs in Abu Dhabi and BBC digital radio roulettehttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2010/mar/12/media-talk-podcast-rupert-james-murdoch-bbc-radio
The BBC plans a digital radio rejig, Alexander Lebedev gets closer still to sealing the Indy deal, and James and Rupert Murdoch make waves in the Arabian desert <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2010/mar/12/media-talk-podcast-rupert-james-murdoch-bbc-radio">Continue reading...</a>MediaBBCRadio industryDigital radio6 MusicTim DavieNewspapers & magazinesNewspapersIndependent News & MediaAlexander LebedevCharles AllenEMIRupert MurdochJames MurdochJohnston PressFri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2010/mar/12/media-talk-podcast-rupert-james-murdoch-bbc-radioGetty ImagesJames Murdoch: ready to defend Sky Photograph: Getty ImagesPresented by Matt Wells and produced by Ben Green2010-03-12T08:00:00ZMedia Talk podcast: Civil war at Independent News & Mediahttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2009/sep/04/podcast-independent-news-of-the-world-phone-hacking
Denis O'Brien and Gavin O'Reilly fight over the future of the Independent. Plus, more on the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. And a new editor at the Spectator <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2009/sep/04/podcast-independent-news-of-the-world-phone-hacking">Continue reading...</a>MediaPrivacy & the mediaPhone hackingNews UKIndependent News & MediaGavin O'ReillyAndy CoulsonChannel 4The SpectatorPrivacyFri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/audio/2009/sep/04/podcast-independent-news-of-the-world-phone-hackingPublic domainguardian.co.uk2009-09-04T08:00:00ZAlexander Lebedev and the Independent: some questions and some answershttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/jun/11/alexander-lebedev-independent-deal-questions
<a href="http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/912498//" title="With renewed talk that Alexander Lebedev will buy the Independent">As talk flares up again of Alexander Lebedev buying the Independent titles</a>, we look at why the deal makes sense and why it could happen<p>Most certainly. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/13/anthony-oreilly-resigns-independent-news-and-media" title="Since Denis O'Brien and Tony O'Reilly's peace deal at Independent News &amp; Medi">Since Denis O'Brien and Tony O'Reilly's peace deal at Independent News &amp; Media</a>, and O'Reilly's stepping aside, O'Brien's view that there is no room for sentiment or loss-making flagship titles has held greater sway. That and the fact that INM is in a tricky endgame <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2009/may/29/independent-news-and-media-denis-o-brien" title="over the refinancing of a E220m (&pound;187m) with bondholders">over the refinancing of a E220m (&pound;187m) with bondholders</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/jun/11/alexander-lebedev-independent-deal-questions">Continue reading...</a>Alexander LebedevThe IndependentIndependent on SundayIndependent News & MediaLondon Evening StandardNational newspapersNewspapersNewspapers & magazinesMedia businessMediaThu, 11 Jun 2009 14:40:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/jun/11/alexander-lebedev-independent-deal-questionsIvan Sekretarev/APAlexander Lebedev: committed to independent journalism. Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/APIvan Sekretarev/APAlexander Lebedev. Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/APSteve Busfield2009-06-11T14:40:57ZMedia Talk podcast: BBC expenses crackdown; celebrity MPs; and who guards the Guardian?http://www.theguardian.com/media/audio/2009/may/22/podcast-bbc-expenses-guardian
The panel analyse calls for the publicly-funded BBC to open its accounts. Plus, is MediaGuardian "purposely damaging its commercial rivals"? With Matt Wells, Steve Busfield and Maggie Brown <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/audio/2009/may/22/podcast-bbc-expenses-guardian">Continue reading...</a>MediaBBCSir Michael LyonsMPs' expensesMark ThompsonGuardian Media GroupIndependent News & MediaBBC expensesFri, 22 May 2009 13:43:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/audio/2009/may/22/podcast-bbc-expenses-guardianSarah Lee/Guardianguardian.co.uk2009-05-22T13:43:56ZPeter Wilby on the press treatment of Prince Harryhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/19/prince-harry-racism-newspapers
<p>For once, the press was virtually unanimous. Prince Harry, calling a fellow soldier &quot;our little Paki friend&quot;, used unacceptable, racist language. That didn't necessarily make him a racist, but it did make him an insensitive prat. Moreover, he used words the redtops never dare print, causing them to break out in a rash of asterisks.</p><p>The Mail, guardian of our national values, offered evidence of previous bad character. Harry, wrote Geoffrey Levy and Richard Kay, the paper's well-trained attack dogs, had been seen &quot;glugging from a vodka bottle while countless parents across the country worry about the dangers of their children binge-drinking&quot;. At 17 (he's now 24), he had visited a pub where &quot;cannabis was smoked in the bar&quot; and &quot;cocaine was being sold privately round the back&quot;. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/19/prince-harry-racism-newspapers">Continue reading...</a>Newspapers & magazinesDaily MailPrince HarryIndependent News & MediaNewspapersNational newspapersRace & religionMediaMonarchyUK newsMon, 19 Jan 2009 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/19/prince-harry-racism-newspapersPeter Wilby2009-01-19T00:01:00ZInteractive: The Independent's offices, in map formhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independentnewsmedia-pressandpublishing
<p>Go west! The Independent opened in October 1986 in City Road with Andreas Whittam Smith as editor. Eight editors, three headquarters and 23 years later, the staff will move again in January next year - setting up home with Associated Newspapers in Kensington. </p><p>Was that really what the founders had in mind?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independentnewsmedia-pressandpublishing">Continue reading...</a>Independent News & MediaNewspapers & magazinesMediaFri, 28 Nov 2008 15:08:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independentnewsmedia-pressandpublishingJemima Kiss2008-11-28T15:08:04ZA beginner's guide for Independent journalists relocating to the headquarters of the Daily Mail and General Trusthttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independent-news-daily-mail-general-trust
A beginner's guide for Independent journalists relocating to the headquarters of the Daily Mail &amp; General Trust<p>As a newcomer to the headquarters of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/associatednewspapers">the Daily Mail family</a>, thrill at the escalator ride, marvel at the Masters of the Universe atrium and be amazed by the echoing of the editor-in-chief's foul language.</p><p>Having worked for the newspaper in offices based above a west London shop - as the Express always endearingly referred to its mid-market rival - before moving to a liberal quality, I know just what a culture shock some Independent journalists are going to suffer.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independent-news-daily-mail-general-trust">Continue reading...</a>The IndependentIndependent on SundayDaily MailIndependent News & MediaDaily Mail & General TrustNewspapers & magazinesMediaFri, 28 Nov 2008 13:43:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/28/independent-news-daily-mail-general-trustSteve Busfield2008-11-28T13:43:24ZOn the press, Peter Wilby: Small is inevitablehttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/24/local-newspapers-press-publishing
<p>How many journalists do you need to bring out a newspaper? When the latest round of cuts is over, both the Independent and Express will have fewer than 200 editorial staff for seven-day-a-week publication. Most other Fleet Street publications have at least 400 - and sometimes many more. So can small be beautiful?</p><p>Obviously, you may say, it can't. In circulation terms, the Independent and Express papers are among the least successful in the industry. The latter's middle-market rival, the Mail, sells three times as many copies. Stripping out overseas and bulk sales, last month the daily Independent sold just over 122,000 copies a day, a figure that would have been comfortably exceeded by, say, the Leicester Mercury 20 years ago.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/24/local-newspapers-press-publishing">Continue reading...</a>Independent News & MediaNewspapers & magazinesMediaNational newspapersNewspapersMon, 24 Nov 2008 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/24/local-newspapers-press-publishingPeter Wilby2008-11-24T00:01:00Z